Capers name co-female award winners for the first time ever

SYDNEY, N.S. — For the first time in school history, the Cape Breton Capers have named co-female athletes of the year.

Basketball standout Alison Keough and soccer player Ciera Disipio shared the honour at the 44th annual Capers Athletic Awards Banquet on Thursday at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. Capers soccer player Cory Bent was named the male athlete of the year.

Keough, of Marion Bridge, graduates as the Capers women’s all-time leading scorer. A perennial all-star and a three-time U Sports all-Canadian, she also set the AUS record for career rebounds.

“I’ve been blessed to receive a lot of individual awards, but to receive this one going out on my last hurrah, it’s pretty special,” said Keough, a national rookie of the year in her first season.

“The relationships I’ve built throughout my time at CBU and the support of everyone involved, I think that’s what I’ll carry the most with me throughout my life.”

Disipio, of Ottawa, earned AUS first team all-star and U Sports first team all-Canadian accolades this season. The former AUS top rookie earned conference MVP honours and led the AUS in points with 11 goals and six assists. She led the Capers to an AUS championship banner and a silver medal at nationals.

“I wouldn’t have been as successful individually if my team wasn’t as successful as we were,” she said. “We came into training camp and we had a mindset to win, get business done and win an AUS banner and a medal at nationals. To accomplish that and celebrate as a team tonight was an honour.”

Bent, a second-year player from Preston, U.K., helped the Capers to both an AUS and a U Sports national championship. He scored eight goals in league play and earned AUS first team all-star honours and was a U Sports second team all-Canadian.

Bent was named to the national tournament all-star team and tournament MVP.

“We’re all willing to run through a wall for each other and I think that’s the main thing,” he said. “You can count on everyone to do their job and even if you’re down, someone will pick you up and if not, they’ll do your job and no one complains. We’re just one big unit on and off the field. It’s really special to be a part of.”

The President's Award, given to recognize top academic performance among student-athletes, went to Becky Hanna of Howie Centre of the women’s soccer team. Hanna, an AUS all-star, maintained a 94 per cent average while working towards her bachelor of business administration degree.

Kyle Hankins of the Capers men’s basketball team won the Kathy Reid Memorial Award, given to student-athlete who has overcome physical challenges and a tough season to compete at a high level.

The Cape Breton Credit Unions most outstanding performance of the year award went to Ben Jackson. In the U Sports final, the Capers men’s goalkeeper came up big, making a number of huge stops, including one final save in the shootout.